Draining The Creeper

Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:48 pm

Okay, so...... In the diagrams I see the fill (#5) and the 7/16" level plug (#31) on the side. I'm hesitant to remove the detent ball retaining bolt (#22)- though it appears to double as the drain hole.....?

How do you fellows who've changed their fluid accomplish it? Filling it to the top and getting the new and old fluid to mix, then draining to the level plug crossed my mind, though it's not as effective. I didn't initially realize the unit was made by Danuser Manufacturing. Great stuff.

While on the lube and maintenance subject, is the Ross steering box packed with grease (as in Cub Cadets) or filled with gear oil? I see what appears to be a level plug and possibly a drain plug, though no Zerk to be found.

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Re: Draining The Creeper

Sun Aug 18, 2013 9:06 pm

Can't answer for the creeper, but the steering gear housing is filled with grease. On my 154's, the zerk is in the bottom, inline with the steering shaft.

Re: Draining The Creeper

Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:27 am

I don't think it was intended to be drained, other than removed from the transmission. As long as there is fluid in it, to the appropriate level, that's all that matters.

Re: Draining The Creeper

Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:59 am

I drained and refilled my creeper drive, but I pulled it off the tractor to do it. There is a lot going on in the poppet ball area. I decided not to pull that for fear of losing a part. It was a real pain. Glad I did it though. Now I know the fluid is in good condition. You can refill it from the hole in the side.

Re: Draining The Creeper

Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:01 pm

hello all. New owner of 185 loboy. although I have a 52 super A. My 185 does not have the creeper gear, does anyone know if they can be bolted up...I mean can you upgrade with a few parts?

Re: Draining The Creeper

Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:08 pm

Toolman185 wrote:hello all. New owner of 185 loboy. although I have a 52 super A. My 185 does not have the creeper gear, does anyone know if they can be bolted up...I mean can you upgrade with a few parts?

The creeper can be installed in an original non-creeper tractor. It's expensive though. May be better off to find a tractor with the creeper in it, swap it out with yours, and then sell the second tractor.

Re: Draining The Creeper

Wed Aug 21, 2013 8:56 am

Thanks for the input. I did the "overfill up to the fill plug, run, and drain to the level plug twice" as I wanted to refresh as much of the fluid that was in there as I could. Not enough internal clearance to sneak a hose from the Mighty Vac into the lowest point, even with a hard line extension.

I also epoxied a small neodymium magnet to the level plug where the splash can capture some abrasive iron particles which are always suspended in the oil while operating. I did the same for the drain plug in the trans; it is of great benefit to utilize magnets in all oil reservoirs or FilterMags where able, IMHO. Overkill, perhaps. Innately satisfying? Yes.

I did find the Zerk for the steering box on the end cap sleeping under a healthy layer of old grass clippings, thanks for the direction. The Ross box variants used on Cub Cadets and older JD garden tractors are grease-packed as well though the Zerk is on the arm shaft, not at the end cap, which I find interesting.

Re: Draining The Creeper

Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:51 pm

Thanks for all that replied to my can I add the creeper question. As much as I hate to admit that I missed it.....I am glad to report that my 185 does have the creeper.....what it don't have is the little handle that pulls the shift rod.....must have fell off at some point.... looks like hamilton bob will need to sell me a handle.